Comments on: Colorado Solar Power Rebates, Tax Credits, and Incentives

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:27:49 +0000

Hey, J Lynn,

The simple answer is that the SC page is out of date. When we did that page, it was over a year ago when solar without rebates was a lot more expensive. The price has come down a lot since then. The Colorado page is an updated cost estimate before rebates.

Please keep in mind that Colorado is a very competitive state for solar. Other states will be more costly due to current lack of competition. But that should be changing around the company as legislators start to “warm up” to solar. Hopefully, soon in SC.

By: J Lynn Springer

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:53:18 +0000

Question: Why does it cost $54,000 for a 3 kw before incentives in Columbia, SC and only $31,000 before incentives for a 5kw in Colorado? I live in Dillon, Co & rent for the winter in SC. May go solar this summer in Dillon. Lynn

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:39:12 +0000

Brad, there's still some (slight) question about whether you can take the 30% tax credit off the gross or net after rebates. We've tackled this question here on this post. Bottom line, if you're a business, off the gross, but then you have to count the state rebate as income.....so it might even out to the same thing. If you see any more guidance from the IRS, please drop us a note. We'd love to hear a pro's perspective and experience.

By: Brad

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:41:16 +0000

I am a Boulder County CPA with a client who installed solar equipment and was told by the contractor they can take a 30% tax credit for the entire (gross) cost of the project. My read is that the tax credit only applies to the out of pocket cost, net of the rebates. Is anyone else getting these types of contractor quotes, and what are they reporting on their tax returns.

By: Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred"

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:57:15 +0000

Hey, Deenie, Colorado is great for solar right now. Rebates are still relatively strong, plus there's a lot of competition driving prices down low. I'd bet you'd benefit greatly from going solar, especially if you have a lot of sun and such a high energy bill. First, check out our Colorado page. It has some good info. It's tough to give you a ballpark amount without getting some more information. The Fort Collins, Colorado area is one of the areas where you can get no-haggle bulk pricing through our partners at 1bog.org. I would sign up with them and get an estimate through their online calculator. It's pretty accurate for their program, so long as the numbers and information you input are accurate. Hope that helps.

By: D. Marsh

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:41:15 +0000

We live on a small ranch/farm north of Fort Collins. Our pivot irrigating sprinkler is run by electricity ($1,000 a month when used). Also, we have a 4600 sq ft home that would lend well to solar. What kind of rebates/incentives could we get?

By: Christof

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:54:38 +0000

Great update. Never heard of PACE. Wish I’d heard of it earlier — it’s probably too late for us, under contract with REC Solar for a June 2010 installation. I’ll look into it, though.

By: Colorado Solar Power Rebates and Incentives – Updated!

Colorado Solar Power Rebates and Incentives – Updated! — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:28:43 +0000

[...] Colorado [...]

By: Christof

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:41:49 +0000

I realize you have the “Updated 1-29-09″ header up top. Still, you might want to update your Xcel Rebate figures. Xcel’s rebate is down to $3.50 per watt as of Nov. 3, 2009 — and it’s going to drop to $3.00 per watt soon.

By: Solar, Marshmallows, and Success

Solar, Marshmallows, and Success — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:27:30 +0000

[...] same could be true if you’re buying solar in Los Angeles, Boulder, Colorado, Philadelphia, and Phoenix, Arizona. The local solar rebates and incentives in these and other [...]